Research on preventing road traffic injuries in developing countries is needed

doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7444.895

BMJ 2004;328:895 (10 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7444.895

Letter

Research on preventing road traffic injuries in developing countries is needed

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—The dedication of the World Health Organization'sWorld Health Day 2004 to road safety is recognition of the globalthreat of road traffic injuries. Increasing population size,vehicle ownership, road infrastructure, and transnational transportationhave created a substantial public health burden. However, littleepidemiological research has been conducted into preventingroad traffic injuries in developing countries. Currently globalresearch and development funding per disability adjusted lifeyear for HIV, asthma, and blindness are $26.2, $10.8, and $5.4,respectively, while only $0.40 for road traffic injuries.¹

Credit: MARK HENLEY/PANOS

Epidemiological studies of successful interventions preventingroad traffic injuries have been conducted in developed countries.²But to assume the same effectiveness in developing countriesis inappropriate because of behavioural, vehicular, and environmentaldifferences.

A pooled analysis of street lighting intervention data fromdeveloped countries shows a protective effect,³ particularlyin pedestrian injury (relative risk 0.56), the most common roadtraffic . . . [Full text of this article]

Pablo Perel, MSc epidemiology student

MSc Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT

Megan McGuire, MSc epidemiology student

megan.mcguire{at}lshtm.ac.uk, MSc Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT

Koshy Eapen, MSc epidemiology student

MSc Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT

Alexandre Ferraro, MSc epidemiology student

MSc Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT